Improving Male and Female Fertility with Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential to a healthy life, at any stage, yet its effectiveness is often overlooked by practitioners treating parents who are trying to conceive. The overwhelming majority of infertility cases are treated with drugs or surgical procedures, and are successful less than 50 percent.

Supplementation presents a simple, safe, inexpensive, and potentially effective approach to preparing for fruitful conception. In this article, I address vitamin D’s role in reproduction, evidence supporting the positive effect of this nutrient on fertility, and how to become vitamin D healthy parents.

Vitamin D’s Role in Reproduction

The human reproductive system comprises billions of cells. Every cell in the female and male reproductive systems contains genetic codes as well as a receptor to receive vitamin D.
Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone produced by our body. We manufacture vitamin D when we take a quality vitamin D3 supplement, expose our skin to optimal sun light, or consume lots of fatty fish or vitamin D3-fortified foods.

Cells in the female reproductive system (including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, placenta, and decidua) are replete with vitamin D receptors. The male reproductive system cells (including the testes, prostate, and urethra) also are abundant with vitamin D receptors.

When we have ample amounts of activated vitamin D, it binds with its receptor to regulate genes in our reproductive system. For example, activated vitamin D in the female reproductive system controls the genes involved in estrogen production. Vitamin D also regulates several genes during the process of embryo implantation.

Conversely, when the reproductive system lacks activated vitamin D, genes essential to conception are not expressed. Hence, the chances of achieving successful conception are diminished.

Both Mom and Dad Need Vitamin D for Fertility

For many couples, getting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to term present daunting challenges. But few understand how vitamin D plays a role in fertility of both biological parents. Scientific research indicates that the significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency correlates to the incidences of infertility cases in women and men:

Researchers in Milan, Italy conducted a study of 335 women who were candidates for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Published in the August 14, 2014 issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the study demonstrated that the women with vitamin D levels of more than 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) enjoyed the highest chance of pregnancy. The researchers concluded vitamin D is an emerging factor influencing female fertility and IVF outcome.

Greek researchers recently examined 30 years of scientific literature on the role of vitamin D in human reproduction. The accumulated evidence suggests that vitamin D is significantly involved in the reproductive system of both genders. Regarding fertility, the researchers noted that vitamin D status is associated with semen quality and sperm count, motility, and morphology. Moreover, they concluded that there also is a positive effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone concentrations and fertility outcomes. The review was published in a 2013 issue of the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

An Australian fertility specialist, Anne Clark, M.D., presented findings to the 2008 Fertility Society of Australia Conference that demonstrated the role of low vitamin D in men. More than one-third of the 794 men who underwent a vitamin D blood serum test were determined to be deficient in vitamin D (as well as folate). Among the couples where the male completed supplementation treatment for nutritional deficiencies, more than one-half conceived naturally or with minimal treatment.

How to Become Vitamin D Healthy Parents

In today’s modern indoor living, the most effective source of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is an oil-based soft gel or liquid supplement. Vitamin D3 supplements are available over the counter in retail and online stores. Beware of vitamin D prescriptions as most contain vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) that is much less effective than vitamin D3.

The amount of vitamin D3 depends upon your vitamin D level, derived from a simple blood test called 25(OH)D. Assume you are vitamin D deficient (most people are) and get your blood tested by your healthcare practitioner.

Based on the results of your test, supplement daily with vitamin D3 to safely increase your blood levels. A number of vitamin D experts believe a healthy vitamin D range is at least 50 to 80 ng/mL (125 to 200 nmol/L).

Repeat the test in three to six months. Increase or maintain your daily D3 dose in response to your current level. Getting within range will take time (at least months) but rest assured that you will be gaining vitamin D wellness that should increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Editor’s Note: Susan Rex Ryan is an award-winning author who is dedicated to vitamin D awareness. Her extensive collection of health articles can be found on Hormones Matter as well as on her vitamin D blog at smilinsuepubs.com. Follow Sue on FB “Susan Rex Ryan” and Twitter @vitD3sue.

Hormones Matter does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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Susan Rex Ryan is the author of the award-winning book “Defend Your Life” about the amazing health benefits of vitamin D. Drop by Sue's website and blog at http://smilinsuepubs.com. Follow Sue’s commentary on vitamin D and other health topics via Twitter @VitD3Sue. Like Sue's Defend Your Life page on Facebook

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10 Comments

Thanks for the article! Have you read “Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox”? Good read about how you really need ample sources of K2 if you supplement w/D(3)…so your body knows where to put the calcium (summary).

Have you heard about the Procolo Coimbra? I have a cousin who collapsed when she was running and came to discover that she had MS. She was taking medication in the hospital, when a family friend came to talk with her about the success his son was having with the protocol Coimbra. The Protocolo Coimbra is about high doses vitamin D3, DHA, magnesium chloride and a complex with vitamins. With that she is in remission for the last 9 years.

On the other hand, watching the TED presentation Minding your Mitochondrias you can see how much impact in your healthy has the food that you eat. Dysbiosis caused by overgrowing of bacteria and fungus in the small intestine has been associated with a lot of illness. That means that not only the sun that we are not getting exposed to is causing us problems, but as Dr. Lonsdale says: the food that we are choosing to eat is not nurturing us..

Thank you, Natasha. ALL age groups are at risk for a vitamin D deficiency. Why? Most people do not get enough sun exposure; most foods are not an adequate source of vitamin D; and most people do not supplement adequately with vitamin D3.

Kelly I would really like to discuss with you some of the points you have made. I have been taking high doses of D3 for the last 6 mths to hopefully allieviate some of the neurological symptoms i have
Regards
Leza

Sue I hope you will allow me to give more info…informed consent when dealing with epigenetic substances such as hormones, toxins, and diet is a must in our complicated world.
We too are experts about vitamin D with 2 physicians and 2 registered nurses on our non-profit team (and no commercial sponsers). Vitamin D is misnamed and is a powerful hormone. Healthy folks also have around 20ng/ml. It is immune suppressive over 30ng/ml. If someone is sick (such as endometriosis, PCOS or any inflammatory/autoimmune disease) it is imperative you check the active metabolite, calcitriol, otherwise you risk immune suppression and worsening symptoms.
From the same group you cited (in a paper accessible to the public):
“Our meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D status assessment and supplementation prior to IVF is currently not recommended.
Women with higher (>30 ng/ml) showed decreased embryo quality.
Vitamin D deficiency does not play a pivotal role in the outcome of assisted reproduction therapy.
Relevant factors such as duration of vitamin D deficiency or source of vitamin D (previous supplementation, sun exposure and diet) have never been investigated in any of the studies.”http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21835540
Your second citing:
“A significant knowledge gap precludes the establishment of a clear cause-effect relationship.
Vitamin D status has been associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome, features of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.”http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23294318
From your third citing:
“The amount of sun needed is just 10 to 15 minutes a day outside the heat of the day…If workers had their morning tea break outside with their sleeves rolled up they would absorb sufficient vitamin D,” says Dr. Anne Clark.http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/10/21/2396765.htm?site=science/talkingscience&topic=latest
Let’s remember history and the HRT debacle, more hormone does not mean better health, in fact it can be a disaster.
The first filter for the public is who stands to gain? Vitamin D “experts” like John Cannell make and sell supplements.
Kelly